Both John Deere and Food Bank of Iowa embrace commitment as a core value. John Deere consistently shows up with volunteers and financial support to make a difference where they have customers and employees. Their service to our community is no exception. Helping Iowans who are struggling to make ends meet is a priority cause for John Deere.

John Deere has been a great partner of Food Bank of Iowa in the fight to end hunger in Iowa. Most recently, John Deere sponsored a meal kit pack that brought together 220 of their employees for volunteer shifts at Food Bank of Iowa and John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny. The result?

7,500 tuna noodle casserole kits available for Iowans struggling to make ends meet.

John Deere donated funds to cover the cost of the items included in the meal kit — noodles, canned tuna, peas, cream soup — and mustered enthusiastic employees to complete the assembly. Knowing that not all interested John Deere employees could leave their desk for an extended period of time, one shift happened on site at John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny.

“John Deere values our relationship with Food Bank of Iowa and we’re always looking for new ways to expand our philanthropic work, engage John Deere volunteers, and provide meaningful impact to those most vulnerable across the state,” said Callie Kramer, citizenship project manager at John Deere. “By collaborating with the Food Bank this year, we’re able to provide a variety of volunteer opportunities — onsite and offsite — that fit our employees’ interests. We look forward to seeing the impact of over 250 committed volunteers and 380 volunteer hours.”

A recipe card was included in the pack, along with the enduring John Deere logo and a note — This meal was provided by John Deere. With equipment on every continent, John Deere helps to feed people around the world. This was an extraordinary opportunity to help feed our most vulnerable folks right here in our own backyard. One in nine Iowans and one in seven of our kids struggle with food insecurity.

The most requested item from our pantry partners and their clients is a quick, complete, easy to prepare meal. The tuna noodle casserole meal kits will be distributed throughout our 55-county service area. We rely on companies like John Deere to help fill the needs of hungry Iowans.

To learn more about sponsoring a meal kit pack, contact Michaela Devaney at mdevaney@foodbankiowa.org.